STUDY AFTER study reveals that the overwhelming majority of teenagers feel love and respect for their parents. Research also shows that teens want to be connected to their parents. If you are a parent, let this sink in: You are important to your teens! However, most parents will never hear these warm, fuzzy comments from their own teens. Their quest for independence makes it difficult to admit their need for parental guidance.

Many adolescents have a knack for making their parents feel unimportant. Sometimes parents wonder if their pearls of wisdom and parental advice ever get through to their teens. But they do! More than you would imagine. Teens just won’t admit it.

For example, in my life span development course, students are required to write a paper about the two most significant people in their lives. Frequently, they write a glowing and heartfelt commentary about one or both of their parents. It’s just what any parent would want to hear, so I often encourage them to share these papers with their parents. Their most common responses are: “I would be embarrassed to show this to my mom (or dad)” and “I don’t want them to know this.”

Thanks to the parents and grandparents who shared a kid tip with us this week.

Teen talk in the car: How many times have you looked at the car next to you and seen a parent and teenager sitting there in silence? What a wasted moment! Parents often have a lot to say to their teenagers. There is no better place than a car — there is no place for them to go. What a captive audience. You could talk about recent events, school, college, plans, friends, issues, problems, etc. You could even tell your teen how proud you are to be his or her parent. Teens really do listen, even if they appear not to. Try it. It really does work. Parents, talk! Your teenager is listening! — Josephine Evonc, San Ramon

Note: My wife and I used the car to have our S-E-X talk with our teens. They couldn’t run. They couldn’t hide! (T.M.)

Note: Store in a covered container. Children should not eat the dough. Offer your child safe kitchen utensils, especially cookie cutters, as tools for their creations.

Doggie tags for kids: Before going on a recent trip to Disneyland, I purchased two “doggie” tags for my kids (ages 4 and 2). You can get them at a pet-supply store (I went to PetSmart). These tags simply read “If lost, call…” and our two cell-phone numbers (my husband’s and mine) were printed on them. I attached them to their belt loop (a shoelace or pant zipper would also work). If our children got separated from us, whoever found them would have our contact information. It gave us great peace of mind! — Jen Srouji, Pleasanton

Note: I like this tip because the tags do not have the children’s names on them. (T.M.)

Fighting germs on the go: When you’re on the go with baby, keep a few antiseptic wipes in your purse or pocket. You can use them to wipe down the handles of shopping carts, restaurant highchairs and other potentially germ-laden objects before they go in baby’s mouth. — Stacy R., Phoenix

Oven mitt for chickenpox: If your child can’t refrain from scratching her itchy chickenpox, slip an oven mitt over both of her hands. She will still be able to scratch, but not aggressively enough to cause scars. According to grandparents, this tip has worked for generations! — Kristi W., Los Angeles

Tom McMahon is a syndicated columnist, college professor and author of the books “Kid Tips” and “Teen Tips.” Visit his Web site at http://www.kidtips.com.